Liquid polymer

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses a process for manufacturing an elastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprising the steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety, (2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curable composition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III) removing the elastomeric article from the mold.

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/941,545,filed on Sep. 15, 2004 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,482,404), whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/545,264, filed on Feb. 17, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Elastomeric articles of manufacture are typically made by compressing asolid rubber, such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber, that containsa curative, such as sulfur, into a mold of the desired size and shape.Then, the rubber is cured (vulcanized) in the mold at an elevatedtemperature which thermosets the rubber permanently into the desiredshape. This conventional process is relatively labor intensive in thatit requires a mixing step wherein the curative and typically otherrubber chemicals are blended into the rubber, a forming step wherein therubber is compressed into the mold, a curing step wherein the rubber iscured in the mold, and a mold removal step wherein the cured rubberarticle is removed from the mold. This conventional process cannot beused in manufacturing intricate rubber articles where it is not possibleto compress the solid rubber into a mold of the required intricateshape. An additional drawback associated with this conventionaltechnique is that on occasion it is difficult to remove the cured rubberarticle from the mold and in some cases the article is damaged duringits removal from the mold.

Silicone rubbers offer a significant advantage over natural rubber andconventional synthetic polydiene rubbers, such as synthetic polyisoprenerubber, polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and the like, inthat they can be injection molded into shapes that can be very intricatein design. Injection molding also offers the advantage of being capableof being highly automated to significantly reduce labor requirements.Elastomeric articles made utilizing silicone rubbers can also becompounded to be visually clear which is beneficial in someapplications. For instance, clear baby bottle nipples made by injectionmolding silicone rubber are preferred by many consumers. However,silicone rubbers are typically very expensive when compared to the costof conventional polydiene rubber. High cost has accordingly precludedsilicone rubbers from being used in many products and, of course, addsexpense to other products where silicone rubbers are employed.

There is currently a demand for a low cost polymeric composition thatcan be injection molded to produce elastomeric articles. There is aparticular demand for such a polymeric composition that is based upon apolydiene rubber, such as polyisoprene, that can be molded into cleararticles.

European Patent Application No. EP 0,709,403 A1 discloses a curablecomposition for injection molding which comprises, as essentialingredients, (A) a saturated hydrocarbon polymer containing at least onealkenyl group capable of undergoing a hydrosilylation reaction permolecule, (B) a hardener having a molecular weight of 30,000 or lowerand containing at least two hydrosilyl groups per molecule, and (C) ahydrosilylation catalyst.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,456 discloses a curable composition comprising: (A)an isobutylene polymer which contains per molecule, at least one alkenylgroup for reacting with a hydrosilyl group; (B) a curing agent whichcontains at least two hydrosilyl groups per molecule; (C) ahydrosilylation catalyst; and (D) a hydrocarbon compound having 6 to 20carbon atoms which contains per molecule, at least one alkenyl oralkynyl group reaction for reacting with a hydrosilyl group.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,551 discloses a curable resin compositioncomprising: (A) saturated hydrocarbon polymer having at least onehydroxyl or hydrolyzable group bonded to a silicone atom and iscrosslinkable through the formation of a siloxane bond, in a moleculeand (B) a hydrogenated oligomer of a linear α-olefin.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,010 notes that the main component of such curablecompositions is a polymer that can have a very high viscosity dependingon the main component species. In particular when an isobutylene polymeris used as the main component, it is difficult to handle the isobutylenepolymer as a liquid because of its high viscosity without applying someviscosity reducing technology, although the cured products obtained areexcellent in various durability characteristics and, further, have lowpermeability and good vibration damping properties. Thus, for utilizingsuch curable compositions as potting agents or coating materials, it isessential to secure fluidity by some or other viscosity reducingtechnology. The most generally implemented technique for viscosityreduction is the addition of a nonreactive diluent as a plasticizer, forexample an oil. In that case, however, while the viscosity is reduced bythe addition of the plasticizer, the mechanical strength is markedlylowered and evaporation of the plasticizer at elevated temperaturescauses heating loss and volume reduction of cured products, leading tomarked changes in mechanical characteristics and, further, inducesblooming of the plasticizer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,010 further notes thatreliability reduction accordingly results in cases where a plasticizerin used for viscosity reduction.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,010 more specifically discloses a curablecomposition which comprises (as essential components): (A) a saturatedhydrocarbon polymer having more than one alkenyl group capable of beinghydrosilylated, on average, in each molecule and having a molecularweight of 2,000 to 50,000, (B) a component comprising a compoundcontaining more than two silicone atom-bound hydrogen atoms, on average,in each molecule, (C) a compound having, within the molecule, onealkenyl group capable of being hydrosilylated, (D) a compound having,within the molecule, at least two alkenyl groups capable of beinghydrosilylated and having a molecular weight less than 2,000, and (E) ahydrosilylation catalyst.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a polymeric molding composition that iscomprised of (1) a liquid polymer having repeat units that are derivedfrom a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has aweight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an aminemoiety, (2) a hydrosilylation catalyst, and (3) a crosslinking agenthaving at least 2 hydrosilyl groups per molecule. This polymericcomposition has the advantage of being based upon a polydiene rubberwhich reduces raw material cost as compared to silicone rubbers. It canalso be formulated for utilization in automated injection moldingequipment to reduce labor costs. The polymeric molding compositions ofthis invention can also be manufactured into elastomeric articles havingoutstanding physical properties that are visually clear.

The polymeric compositions of this invention have the requisitecombination of properties needed to replace liquid silicone rubbers inliquid injection molding applications. More specifically, the injectionmolding compositions of this invention are stable for at least 2 weeksat room temperature and are stable at 100° C. for at least 2 minutes.They are also pumpable with good shear thinning characteristics and canbe cured in 2 minutes to provide a vulcanized rubber article thatexhibits good clarity (clear and colorless), is odor free, and free ofextractables. Elastomeric articles made with the polymeric compositionsof this invention can also be formulated to have a Die C tear strengthof over 100 ppi and a tensile strength of at least 1000 psi withoutbeing sticky and with stable shelf clarity.

The present invention more specifically discloses a liquid polymer thatis particularly useful in molding elastomeric articles, said liquidpolymer being comprised of repeat units that are derived from aconjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weightaverage molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000,and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety.

The subject invention further reveals a curable composition which iscomprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that arederived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymerhas a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with anamine moiety, (2) a hydrosilylation catalyst, and (3) a crosslinkingagent having at least 2 hydrosilyl groups per molecule.

The present invention also reveals a curable composition for utilizationin liquid injection molding, said composition being comprised of (1) aliquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from aconjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weightaverage molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000,and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety,(2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkylsiloxy) silane crosslinking agent.

The present invention also reveals a process for manufacturing anelastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprisingthe steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) aliquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from aconjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weightaverage molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000,and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety,(2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkylsiloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within therange of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curablecomposition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III)removing the elastomeric article from the mold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The liquid polymers of this invention are comprised repeat units thatare derived from at least one conjugated diolefin monomer. Theconjugated diolefin monomers that can be utilized in the liquid polymersof this invention are of the general structural formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, alkylgroups (including cycloalkyl groups), alkaryl groups, or aryl groupscontaining from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and wherein Y and Y′ can bethe same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groupscontaining from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Some representative examplesof conjugated diolefin monomers that can be polymerized with thecatalyst systems of this invention include 1,3-butadiene, isoprene,piperylene, 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene,4-butyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-pentadiene, 1,3-hexadiene,1,3-octadiene, 1-phenyl-1,3-butadiene, and the like. Additional monomersthat are copolymerizable with conjugated dieoefin monomers can also beincorporated into the liquid polymers of this invention. For instance,repeat units that are derived from vinyl aromatic monomers, such asstyrene and α-methyl styrene can also be incorporated into the liquidpolymers of this invention. It should be noted that a double bond isconsumed in the polymerization of such monomers and that repeat unitsthat are derived from a given monomer differ from the monomer in thatthe double bond is not present in the repeat unit.

The liquid polymers of this invention have a weight average molecularweight this is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000. A weight averagemolecular weight of at least 5,000 is required to attain needed physicalproperties. On the other hand, the weight average molecular weight ofthe polymer cannot be more than 100,000 or the polymer begins to becomea solid and is not easily pumpable which is, of course needed ininjection molding applications. The liquid polyisoprene rubbers of thisinvention will typically have a minimum weight average molecular weightof at least 20,000. In any case, it is preferred for the liquid polymersof this invention to have a weight average molecular weight that iswithin the range of 20,000 to 80,000. It is more preferred for theliquid polymers of this invention to have a weight average molecularweight that is within the range of 30,000 to about 50,000.

It is essential for the liquid polymers of this invention to befunctionalized with an amine to unexpectedly attain the needed level ofpumpability. By including an amine in the liquid polymer of thisinvention it can be employed in making curable compositions that arefree of plasticizers, such as oils. Amine functionalization can beaccomplished by synthesizing the polymer with a functionalizedinitiator, by polymerizing an amine group containing monomer into thepolymer, by terminating the polymerization with an amine containingterminating agent, or by grafting an amine containing moiety onto thepolymer in a post-polymerization step.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,859 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,504 describe thesynthesis of amine group containing initiators and the utilization ofsuch initiators in the synthesis of rubbery polymers. The teachings ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,610,859 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,504 are incorporatedherein by reference with respect to the synthesis and utilization ofsuch initiators in the synthesis of polymers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,859specifically discloses amine functionalized initiators that can beutilized in the practice of this invention to incorporate an aminemoiety onto the liquid polymer. These initiators are of the structuralformula:

wherein M is an alkali metal selected from the group consisting oflithium, sodium and potassium; wherein Z is a branched or straight chainhydrocarbon connecting group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms,optionally substituted with aryl or substituted aryl; wherein Q is asaturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by the incorporationof one or more unsaturated organic compounds into the M-Z linkage;wherein n is an integer from 0 to 5; wherein R¹ is selected from thegroup consisting, of aralkyl, allyl, tertiary alkyl and methyl groups;wherein R² is the same as R¹, with the proviso that when R¹ is methyl,R² is not an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or when R¹is aralkyl, R² is not aralkyl, or R² is different from R¹ and selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy,substituted alkoxy, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, andsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, with the proviso that when R is not thesame as R¹, then R² is more stable under conditions used to remove R¹,or R¹ and R² together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attachedform

wherein y is from 1 to 4 and each R¹¹ is independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl,substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkoxy,substituted alkoxy, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl,heterocycloalkyl, and substituted heterocycloalkyl groups.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,721 described the synthesis of amine groupcontaining monomers and the utilization of such monomers in thesynthesis of polymers. The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,721 are alsoincorporated herein by reference with respect to the synthesis of suchamine functionalized monomers and their incorporation into polymers.Generally, such amine containing monomers will typically be incorporatedinto the liquid polymers of this invention at a level which is withinthe range of about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent. Theamine group containing monomer will more typically be incorporated intothe liquid polymers of this invention at a level which is within therange of about 0.3 weight percent to about 3 weight percent, and willpreferably be incorporated at a level of 0.5 weight percent to 1 weightpercent.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,721 specifically discloses a rubbery polymer whichis comprised of repeat units that are derived from (1) at least oneconjugated diolefin monomer, and (2) at least one functionalized monomerhaving of the structural formula:

wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbonatoms or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R¹ and R² can be the same ordifferent and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety selected from thegroup consisting of

wherein R³ groups can be the same or different and represent alkylgroups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, aryl groups, allylgroups, and alkyloxy groups of the structural formula—(CH₂)_(y)—O—(CH₂)_(z)—CH₃, wherein Z represents a nitrogen containingheterocyclic compound, wherein R⁴ represents a member selected from thegroup consisting of alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbonatoms, aryl groups, and allyl groups, and wherein n, x, y and zrepresents integers from 1 to about 10, with the proviso that R¹ and R²can not both be hydrogen atoms. U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,721 identifies thefollowing heterocyclic amine moieties (Z groups) as being suitable forutilization in such amine functionalized monomers:

wherein R⁵ groups can be the same or different and represent a memberselected from the group consisting of alkyl groups containing from 1 toabout 10 carbon atoms, aryl groups, allyl groups, and alkoxy groups, andwherein Y represents oxygen, sulfur, or a methylene group.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the cure rate of the liquidpolymers of this invention can be greatly enhanced without sacrificingstability (scorch safety) at lower temperatures by increasing the levelof vinyl microstructure in the polymer. In other words, the liquidpolymer will cure faster at a temperature above 100° C. while remainingrelatively stable at temperatures of less than 100° C. This unexpectedbenefit is attained at vinyl contents of greater than 7 percent and isfurther enhanced at vinyl contents of greater than 15 percent. It isnormally preferred for the liquid polymer to have a vinyl microstructurecontent that is within the range of 15 percent to 20 percent.

The vinyl microstructure content of the liquid polymer can be increasedby conducting the polymerization used in its synthesis in the presenceof a polymerization modifier. Ethers and tertiary amines which act asLewis bases are representative examples of polar modifiers that can beutilized. Some specific examples of typical polar modifiers includediethyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, diisopropyl ether, di-n-butyl ether,tetrahydrofuran, ditetrahydro-furylpropane, dioxane, ethylene glycoldimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycoldimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, triethylene glycoldimethyl ether, trimethylamine, triethylamine,N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), N-methyl morpholine,N-ethyl morpholine, N-phenyl morpholine and the like.

The polymerization modifier can also be a 1,2,3-trialkoxybenzene or a1,2,4-trialkoxybenzene. Some representative examples of1,2,3-trialkoxybenzenes that can be used include1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene, 1,2,3-triethoxybenzene, 1,2,3-tributoxybenzene,1,2,3-trihexoxybenzene, 4,5,6-trimethyl-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene,4,5,6-tri-n-pentyl-1,2,3-triethoxybenzene,5-methyl-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene, and 5-propyl-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene.Some representative examples of 1,2,4-trialkoxybenzenes that can be usedinclude 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene, 1,2,4-triethoxybenzene,1,2,4-tributoxybenzene, 1,2,4-tripentoxybenzene,3,5,6-trimethyl-1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene,5-propyl-1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene, and3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene. Dipiperidinoethane,dipyrrolidinoethane, tetramethylethylene diamine, diethylene glycol,ditetrahydro-furylpropane, dimethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran arerepresentative of highly preferred modifiers of this type. U.S. Pat. No.4,022,959 describes the use of ethers and tertiary amines as polarmodifiers in greater detail.

The utilization of 1,2,3-trialkoxybenzenes and 1,2,4-trialkoxybenzenesas modifiers is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,986.The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,959 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,986 areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The microstructureof the repeat units which are derived from conjugated diolefin monomersis a function of the polymerization temperature and the amount of polarmodifier present. For example, it is known that higher temperaturesresult in lower vinyl contents (lower levels of 1,2-microstructure).Accordingly, the polymerization temperature, quantity of modifier andspecific modifier selected will be determined with the ultimate desiredmicrostructure of the liquid polymer being synthesized being kept inmind.

The vinyl microstructure content of the liquid polymer can also beincrease by copolymerizing a monomer containing at least 2 vinyl groupsinto the polymer. A preferred monomer containing 2 vinyl groups is1-ethenyl-4-(3-butenyl)benzene since it copolymerized with conjugateddiolefin monomers but does not form crosslinks that can lead to gelformation during polymerization. It is of the structural formula:

and is preferred because its vinyl group will polymerize during anionicpolymerization but its 3-butenyl group will not. However, the 3-butenylgroup is available for crosslinking in the presence of a hydrosilylationcatalyst during the curing step.

Curable compositions that are suitable for use in molding applicationscan be made by blending the liquid polymers of this invention with ahydrosilylation catalyst and a crosslinking agent. The crosslinkingagent will typically be used at a level which is within the range of 0.5phr (parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the liquid rubber) to 10phr. The crosslinking agent will preferably be present in the curablecomposition at a level which is within the range of 1 phr to 7 phr. Thehydrosilylation catalyst will typically be employed at a level which iswithin the range of 1 ppmr (parts of metal catalyst by weight per1,000,000 parts by weight of the liquid rubber) to 100 ppmr. Thehydrosilylation catalyst will preferably be present in the curablecomposition at a level which is within the range of 10 ppmr to 50 ppmr.In curable compositions that are used in injection molding applicationsthe crosslinking agent will normally be present at a level which iswithin the range of 2 phr to 5 phr and the hydrosilylation catalyst willnormally be present at a level which is within the range of 15 ppmr to30 ppmr. However, it should be noted that the exact level ofcrosslinking agent and catalyst required will depend upon thecharacteristics of the liquid polymer and will normally be decreasedwith increasing levels of vinyl microstructure content in the liquidpolymer.

The crosslinking agents that can be used in the practice of thisinvention have at least 2 hydrosilyl groups per molecule. Crosslinkingagents of this type are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,456.The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,456 are incorporated herein byreference with respect to teaching the type of crosslinking agent(curing agent) that can be utilized in the practice of this invention.Some preferred branched crosslinking agents are of the structuralformula:

wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 3, wherein R representsan alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, or ahydrosilyl group. The crosslinking agent will typically be atetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane or a tris(dialkyl siloxy) alkyl silane.The crosslinking agent will more typically be a branched silane couplingagent such as tetrakis(dimethyl siloxy) silane, tris(dimethylsiloxy)methyl silane, and tris(dimethyl siloxy)phenyl silane.

A wide variety of hydrosilylation catalysts can be used in making thecurable compositions of this invention. Some representative examples ofsuitable hydrosilylation catalysts include chloroplatinic acid,elemental platinum, solid platinum supported on a carrier (such asalumina, silica or carbon black), platinum-vinylsiloxane complexes {forinstance: Pt_(n)(ViMe₂SiOSiMe₂Vi)_(n) and Pt[(MeViSiO)₄]_(m)},platinum-phosphine complexes {for example: Pt(PPh₃)₄ and Pt(PBu₃)₄}, andplatinum-phosphite complexes {for instance: Pt[P(OPh)₃]₄ andPt[P(OBu)₃]₄}, wherein Me represents methyl, Bu represents butyl, Virepresents vinyl and Ph represents phenyl, and n and m representintegers. The platinum-hydrocarbon complex described in thespecification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,159,601 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,159,662,and the platinum-alcoholate catalyst described in the specification ofU.S. Pat. No. 3,220,972 can also be used. The teaching of U.S. Pat. No.3,159,601, U.S. Pat. No. 3,159,662, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,972 areincorporated herein by reference.

Hydrosilylation catalysts containing metals other than platinum can alsobe used in the practice of this invention of the moldable composition ifbeing used in an application other than injection molding. Somerepresentative examples of such catalysts include: RhCl(PPh₃)₃, RhCl₃,Rh/Al₂O₃, RuCl₃, IrCl₃, FeCl₃, AlCl₃, PdCl₂.2H₂O, NiCl₂, TiCl₄, and thelike. These catalysts can be used alone or in combination. In view ofcatalytic activity, chloroplatinic acid, platinum-olefin complex,platinum-vinylsiloxane complex, and Pt(acac)₂, are preferable.

Inorganic fillers can also be added to the moldable compositions of thisinvention to enhance physical properties. Some representative examplesof inorganic fillers that can be used include calcium carbonate, talc,silica, carbon black and other ordinary inorganic fillers. Silicafillers will typically be added at a level which is within the range of5 phr to 40 phr and will preferably be added at a level of 15 phr to 30phr. Since the curable composition of the present invention is formed bycrosslinking by a hydrosilylation reaction, however, influences on thehydrosilylation reaction should be taken into consideration in usingsuch a filler. For instance, if the filler has a high content ofabsorbed moisture, the moisture will react with the curing agent, whichcan result in foaming during the curing step. When the filler contains acomponent capable of interfering with the hydrosilylation reaction, forexample a nitrogen and/or sulfur atom, a reduction in curability orinsufficient curing may result. Some fillers can have an influence onthe storage stability of the curable composition. In using such aninorganic filler, it is important to confirm the influence of theinorganic filler on the curability and/or storage stability beforehand.If visual clarity is being sought it is also, of course, important toavoid fillers that will significantly reduce the clarity of thecomposition, such as carbon black.

One or more of antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, pigments,surfactants and other additives can also be incorporated in the moldingcompositions of this invention in appropriate amounts. Again, theinfluence of these agents on the hydrosilylation reaction should also betaken into consideration.

Moldable compositions that are used in injection molding applicationswill employ a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst and atetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent. In injection moldingapplications the molding composition will be heated to an elevatedtemperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C. to facilitatethe pumping of the moldable composition and injecting it into a mold.The molding composition will preferably be heated to a temperaturewithin the range of 40° C. to 80° C. for pumping and injection into themold. The mold used will, of course, be of the desired shape for theelastomeric article being manufactured. The mold will be maintained at atemperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to cure thepolymeric composition. The mold will preferably be maintained at atemperature of 120° C. to 180° C. until the molding composition iscured. After the polymeric composition has been cured or at leastsubstantially cured, the elastomeric article made will be removed fromthe mold.

EXAMPLES

The following series of examples is intended to be illustrative of thepolymer synthesis, compounding, and mixing procedure used with liquidpolymers and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, norare they intended to limit the method of polymer synthesis, compounding,or mixing of the materials. One skilled in the art of polymer synthesis,compounding, and mixing realizes that a number of methods may be used toobtain the same results and give the desired compound paste withoutparting from the spirit or intent of the present invention.

The following examples serve to demonstrate the unexpected reduction incompound viscosity and increased clarity when an amine containing liquidpolyisoprene is used as the base polymer in a curable composition.

Polymer Synthesis:

Low molecular weight polyisoprene was synthesized in a one-gallon batchreactor equipped with a variable speed agitator and a heating/coolingjacket to control reactor temperature via a Foxboro distributed controlsystem. Reaction conditions included moderate stirring under an inertatmosphere (nitrogen at 40 psi) at 65° C. Prior to premix loading, thereactor was filled with dry hexane and quenched with n-BuLi to minimizethe scavenger level. Approximately 2,000 grams of 15 weight percentisoprene premix was charged into the reactor. The appropriate amount andtype of initiator is charged into the reactor via a syringe to achievethe desired functionality and molecular weight. After 2 hours at 65° C.the reaction was shortstopped with 1.0 molar equivalent isopropanol (orfunctional terminator if desired) and 0.50 phr BHT antioxidant. Polymeris recovered after devolatilization in a forced air oven and checked formolecular weight (Table 1).

Polymer Characterization:

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was performed using a WyattTechnologies miniDawn light scattering detector coupled with a HewlettPackard 1047A refractive index detector. Two Polymer Laboratories Cmicrogel columns in series were utilized with tetrahydrofuran as thecarrier solvent at a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min and a column temperature of40° C. Sample preparation involved filtering a 0.12 weight percentsolution of polymer in THF through a 1.0 micron filter prior toinjection. Polystyrene standards were used to calibrate the instrument.

TABLE 1 Series of liquid polyisoprenes containing different functionalgroups. Functional Mn Mw Volatiles Yield Group (g/mol) (g/mol) MWD (%)(g) H 50,940 55,210 1.08 0.4 340.5 OH 46,810 51,900 1.11 0.39 360.7SiOEt 52,160 56,330 1.08 0.3 362 DimethylAmine 51,310 53,470 1.04 0.31350 Pyrrolidino 45,230 46,120 1.02 0.39 349 tButoxy 52,200 53,260 1.020.3 366 tBuMe2SiO— 51,120 52,690 1.03 0.2 342.6Curing Process:

A liquid polymer (37.0 grams) from the above table is weighed directlyinto a polyethylene pre-blend 1 liter vessel, followed by the additionof 4.0 phr (1.48 grams) of liquid tetrakis(dimethylsiloxy)silane. Theliquid polymer and liquid silane tetrahydride were mixed for 10 minutesat room temperature to give a homogenous rubber-silane hydride compound.A silica filler, 10 phr (3.7 grams) of Degussa Aerosil 200 (200 m² g)fumed silica, was then added to the pre-blend vessel containing theliquid rubber compound and mixed for 10 minutes at room temperature withlow agitation. A liquid platinum zero complex was then added to thecompound, 750 ppm (0.03 grams) of a platinum carbonyl complex with a3-3.5 percent platinum concentration in vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, and mixing was continued for an additional 10 minutes. Anadditional 20 phr (7.4 grams) of the Aerosil silica filler was added andmixed for an additional 10 minutes, and then poured into a 0.3-literstainless steel Waring mixer. The rubber compound was mixed in theWaring mixer at room temperature until a translucent/white pasteresulted, usually about 10 minutes. A 5.0 gram portion of the compoundpaste was run on a Alpha 2000 RPA, isothermally at 180° C. for 30minutes, to obtain the cure profile of the rubber, the time for 90% ofthe cure to result, and S′min and S′max as a measure of compoundviscosity. RPA frequency sweeps were also used to obtain viscosityprofiles for the rubber paste. A 30.0 gram portion of the paste was thencured between Mylar sheets in a cure press at 9 tons of pressure at 180°C. for T90+1 minutes to give a clear and colorless cured rubber sheetfrom which Die C tear strength and tensile dumbbells were prepared.Paste and cured compound properties for the series of liquidpolyisoprenes in Table 1 can be found in Table 2. Both amine-containingpolymers provide compounds with significantly reduced viscosity.

TABLE 2 Paste and compound properties of functionalized liquidpolyisoprenes Functional T90 S′min S′max tensile tear EB Group (min)(dNm) (dNm) (psi) (ppi) (%) H 2.14 2.18 16.5 1,054 88 139 OH 3.4 1.8912.2 957 89 160 SiOEt 4.31 1.37 9.5 980 79 181 tButoxy 3.47 4.78 18.61,102 114 207 tBuMe2SiO— 3.3 2.25 14.4 951 79 161 DimethylAmine 3.590.007 3.1 691 87 198 Pyrrolidino 4.42 0.025 2.2 212 41 116

As Table 3 shows optimization of the cure formulation for thePyrrolidino containing liquid polyisoprene material allows for increasedtensile, tear, and elongation without negatively impacting the amineseffect on compound viscosity.

TABLE 3 Cure optimization of pyrrolidino-liquid polyisoprene Pt levelSilane tensile tear EB S′min (ppm) (phr) (psi) (ppi) (%) (dNm) 23 4 21241 116 0.025 23 5 895 79 206 0.001 30 4 347 53 127 0.033 30 5 607 94 1800.031 30 6 1013 90 164 0.004

As Table 4 shows, amine functionality significantly increases the curedcompound's clarity as a measure of percent transmittance of lightthrough the part. The percent transmittance was determined using a HACHDR4000U spectrophotometer in the tristimulus mode.

TABLE 4 Improve clarity through amine functionalization % FunctionalGroup S′min (dNm) Transmittance H 2.18 25.8 OH 1.89 30.2 SiOEt 1.37 26.3tButoxy 4.78 23 TBDMS 2.25 22.9 DimethylAmino 0.007 61 DimethylAmino0.005 63.7 (repeat) Pyrrolidine 0.025 68.2

As Table 5 shows amine functionality can be introduced into the liquidpolymer in any manner including through the use of amine hearingstyrenic co-monomer technology. As little as 0.5 percent incorporationof a pyrrolidino bearing styrene co-monomer allows for significantreduction in paste viscosity as measured by low frequency RPA. At 6 cpma control unfunctionalized polyisoprene paste has a viscosity of over200,000 Pas and S'min of 2.8 dNm. The amine functionalized counterpartat equal molecular weight, however, has a low frequency viscosity ofjust 11,800 Pas with S'min of 0.002 dNm.

TABLE 5 Use of amine bearing vinyl styrenic co-monomer to reducecompound viscosity Polymer T90 S′min n′@6 n′@1800 Tear Tensile Type(min) (dNm) cpm cpm (ppi) (psi) H-control 2.4 1.61 183,000 Pas 2011 78768 (50K) 1% styrene 2.63 2.8 203,000 2140 97 1036 1% pyrrol- 1.6 0.00211,800 1390 75 585 idino-sty H-control 3.4 2.43 191,000 1763 92 846(40K) 0.5% pyrrol- 2.2 0.031 13,800 716 67 689 idino-sty

The following examples serve to demonstrate the unexpected reduction inT90 times and improved physical properties when liquid polyisoprene isused as the base polymer in a curable composition with increased3,4-vinyl content.

Table 6 shows the significant drop in T90 time to cure for liquidpolyisoprene pastes modified in 3,4-vinyl content. As 3,4-vinyl contentis increased from 7% to 18%, while maintaining a constant molecularweight of 50,000 g/mol, T90 drops from 2.7 minutes to 1.1 minutes atequal Pt and silane levels. Decreased T90 times allow for furtheroptimization of the silane level in the 18% 3,4-vinyl compound resultingin an increase from 55 to 120 tear as silane is dropped from 4 to 2 phr.Elongation at break is also improved as silane levels are reducedwithout negatively impacting the improved T90 times.

TABLE 6 Decrease in T90 with increase in 3,4-vinyl content for 50Kmolecular weight liquid-PI T90 S′min tear Tensile EB % 3,4- Pt/Silane(min) (dNm) (ppi) (psi) (%)  7% 23/4 2.7 2.2 88 1054 139 11% 23/4 1.91.29 65 771 112 18% 23/4 1.1 2.49 55 1104 113 18% 23/3 0.81 2.41 89 1087156 18% 23/2 1.06 2.9 120 1103 254

Table 7 shows the significant drop in T90 time to cure for liquidpolyisoprene pastes modified with a vinyl bearing co-monomer. When a50,000 g/mol liquid polyisoprene with 1% incorporated4-butenyl-vinylbenzene is compounded T90 drops from 2.7 minutes to 1.9minutes at equal Pt and silane levels versus control polymers. DecreasedT90 times allows for further optimization of the silane level in thevinyl bearing polymer resulting in an increase in tear and elongation assilane levels are reduced without negatively impacting the improved T90times.

TABLE 7 Decrease in T90 through vinyl bearing co-monomers for 50Kmolecular weight liquid-PI T90 tear tensile EB Polymer Type Pt/Silane(min) (ppi) (psi) (%) 50K PI-H control 23/4 2.7 88 1054 139 1% SIR 50K23/4 2.63 97 1036 196 control 1% BVB-PI 23/4 1.94 96 994 159 1% BVB-PI23/3 1.15 125 829 179 1% BVB-PI 23/2 1.16 92 504 256

As Table 8 demonstrates a number of concepts can be combined to achievesynergistic improvements in paste viscosity, T90 and physicalproperties. A dimethylamino containing 50K liquid polyisoprene with 25%3,4-vinyl content was prepared and compounded as described in example 1.The amine/3,4-vinyl modified material gave a fast T90 of 0.59 minutescombined with a low S′min of 0.08 (dNm) while maintaining good physicalproperties.

TABLE 8 Combining amine functionality with increased 3,4-vinyl contentT90 S′min Tear Tensile EB Polymer Type (min) (dNm) (ppi) (psi) (%)Dimethylamine/25% 3,4- 0.59 0.08 93 1074 226

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forthe purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparentto those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications canbe made therein without departing from the scope of the subjectinvention.

1. A liquid polymer that is particularly useful in molding elastomericarticles, said liquid polymer being comprised of repeat units that arederived from a conjugated diolefin monomer and an amine functionalizedmonomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecularweight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, wherein the liquidpolymer is a random copolymer of the conjugated diolefin monomer and theamine functionalized monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a vinylmicrostructure content which is within the range of 7 percent to 20percent, wherein the liquid polymer is pumpable, and wherein the aminefunctionalized monomer is of the structural formula:

wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbonatoms or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R¹ and R² can be the same ordifferent and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety selected from thegroup consisting of

wherein R³ groups can be the same or different and represent alkylgroups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein n and xrepresent integers from 1 to about 10, with the proviso that R¹ and R²can not both be hydrogen atoms.
 2. A liquid polymer as specified inclaim 1 wherein the liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weightof at least 20,000.
 3. A liquid polymer as specified in claim 1 whereinthe liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is withinthe range of 20,000 to 80,000.
 4. A liquid polymer as specified in claim1 wherein the liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight whichis within the range of 30,000 to 50,000.
 5. A liquid polymer asspecified in claim 4 wherein the liquid polymer has a vinylmicrostructure content which is within the range of 15 percent to 20percent.
 6. A liquid polymer as specified in claim 1 wherein the liquidpolymer is further comprised of repeat units that are derived from1-ethenyl-4-(3-butenyl)benzene.
 7. A liquid polymer as specified inclaim 4 wherein the amine functionalized monomer is incorporated intothe liquid polymer at a level which is within the range of about 0.1weight percent to about 5 weight percent.
 8. A liquid polymer asspecified in claim 4 wherein the amine functionalized monomer isincorporated into the liquid polymer at a level which is within therange of about 0.3 weight percent to about 3 weight percent.
 9. A liquidpolymer as specified in claim 4 wherein the amine functionalized monomeris incorporated into the liquid polymer at a level which is within therange of about 0.5 weight percent to about 1 weight percent.
 10. Aliquid polymer as specified in claim 1 wherein the conjugated diolefinmonomer is isoprene.
 11. A liquid polymer as specified in claim 1wherein the liquid polymer is further comprised of repeat units whichare derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer.
 12. A liquid polymer asspecified in claim 11 wherein the vinyl aromatic monomer is styrene. 13.A liquid polymer as specified in claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² can be thesame or different and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety of theformula:

wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein R³groups can be the same or different and represent alkyl groupscontaining from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms.
 14. A liquid polymer asspecified in claim 4 wherein the liquid polymer is further comprised ofrepeat units that are derived from 1-ethenyl-4-(3-butenyl)benzene.
 15. Aliquid polymer as specified in claim 1 wherein the conjugated diolefinmonomer consists of isoprene.
 16. A liquid polymer as specified in claim1 wherein the liquid polymer consists of repeat units that are derivedfrom isoprene, the amine functionalized monomer, and1-ethenyl-4-(3-butenyl)benzene.
 17. A liquid polymer as specified inclaim 1 wherein the liquid polymer consists of repeat units that arederived from the conjugated diolefin monomer and the aminefunctionalized monomer.